Knot a Good Idea (Bittersweet Omegas #4)

Chapter 20

20

APRIL

“Eww, you’re going to their exes’ wedding?” Skylar sits on the couch with her feet in River’s lap. “I would never.”

“It’s not a big deal,” I mutter. “We’re all adults, and they broke up years ago.”

And we’re not really dating, so none of this should matter.

During my dinner with Donovan, he explained more about Kelly.

They were barely eighteen when she got together with the three of them, and it ended abruptly when she found another pack.

Said pack just happened to be creating a tech company at the same time they were.

Both blew up.

This is the social game they play, Donovan explained to me.

Logically, it makes sense.

But since I’ve seen Kelly, insecurities eat at me.

Kelly’s not defective.

Kelly fits in with their lifestyle.

They’ve never had to pretend with Kelly.

Snap out of it, April. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Sandy’s wise words don’t help, though.

It’s impossible not to compare myself to Skylar, Devyn, and now Kelly.

“Well, regardless,” Skylar adds, oblivious to my spiral. “I wouldn’t do it. If I ever run into any of these guys’ exes, I’d murder them.” She points at River, then at Vincent and Landon, who sit at her kitchen island.

“See, and that’s how we’re different,” I sigh. “I’m fine with this. It’s just a little weird.”

I am decidedly not fine. Ever since seeing Kelly, I’ve grown more possessive of Donovan, Liam, and Hunter.

My body aches when I think of them, and I’ve been piling more and more blankets on my bed.

I found out Hunter left a sweatshirt under my pillow—of course he did—and now it stays with me every night.

I’m nesting. Something I haven’t done in months, not even before my kidnapping.

“You do seem a little upset, April,” Landon says gently. “And that’s alright.”

I groan and place my head in my hands.

“Just stake your claim,” Skylar says. “When you go to the wedding, make sure everyone there knows that pack Axton belongs to you .”

“When is the wedding?” Vincent adds.

“Ah, not for another two months. And we have a few other events to go to before that.”

Skylar nods. “You should just move in with them already. You shouldn’t have to travel back and forth.”

I scoff. “ Move in? We’ve barely started dating. And what, just not work?”

My friend shrugs. “Devyn and I will cover the café. We’re more than fine.” She gives me a knowing, pointed look, reminding me of the generous “donation” the cafe received.

I chew my lip. “That’s ridiculous.”

“What if you just take a vacation?” River adds. “They’re rich as fuck, right? Relax in a mansion.”

“It’s tempting,” I admit. “But I doubt they would even ask. It’s too soon. It hasn’t even been a month.”

I’ve barely talked to any of them since last weekend with Donovan. I’ve worked extra shifts at the café and stayed up late baking.

Hunter sends flirty texts, Liam sends sweet messages, and Donovan is radio silent.

It’s just awkward.

“What about your Heat?” Skylar adds, and I turn to look at her.

“Can we discuss this later?” I stammer, a blush burning my face. “When we’re not in front of your pack?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m just saying, maybe it would make sense for you to stay near them. I mean, after my first Heat, I did.”

“Damn right you did, babe.” River smirks at her, and my mood sours even more.

Skylar has the real thing. She’s mated, and her pack protects and cares for her.

None of what I have with my Alphas is real.

My Alphas.

Damn it.

My inner Omega peeks her head out, ready to stake her claim on Hunter, Liam, and Donovan.

Part of me would love to stay with them. I wouldn’t have to be carted back and forth just to visit.

But they haven’t asked, and I doubt they will.

What I did with Hunter was for fun.

Kissing Liam was a distraction.

And opening up to Donovan while painting…

It means nothing.

Nothing at all.

I’m growing tired of having surprise guests at my house.

There’s a shiny silver electric car parked in the driveway after I return from Skylar’s, and the minute I step out of my car I know who it belongs to.

Eucalyptus and mint swarm my senses, and it’s hard to stay mad when I know Liam is inside my house.

Still, I don’t like the surprises.

When I walk in the front door, I can hear faint chatter coming from the living room.

I follow the scent of sweet mint to find my mom and Liam sitting on the sectional couch. Liam faces my mom, and when I enter the room, he looks up at me and smiles, his dimples on display.

Suddenly, I like surprises.

He’s in a dark blue sweater and dark jeans, and his hair is neatly styled.

Did he dress up just to see me?

My mom turns to me at the same time. “Well, now I’ve finally met Liam,” she says. “And I approve.”

Liam beams .

“Oh,” I choke out. “Good.”

But I can tell by the look she gives me that she still thinks something is up. She stares at me a beat too long before Liam pipes up.

“I’m sorry to show up unannounced, April,” he says. “I texted you, but you didn’t reply, and this is a pressing issue.”

“You did?” I pull out my phone and furrow my brow.

Shit. I missed three different texts from Liam, asking if he could visit.

I was too distracted with feeling sorry for myself.

“I did. I don’t mean to impose, of course, but I figured it would be appropriate to ask your mom, as well.”

The smile doesn’t leave his face, but I catch his foot slightly shaking.

He’s nervous.

“April’s an adult, you don’t need my permission for anything, Liam,” my mom says patiently.

I swallow and sit on the couch, taking the cushion opposite from Liam.

I forgot how handsome he is. His dark green eyes are earnest as he looks at me.

“It’s good to see you,” he says quietly. “You look lovely.”

My face burns. There’s no possible way he thinks that—my hair is tangled, and my face is makeup less. I’m sure there are dark circles under my eyes from the nightmares of being locked in rooms with no doors.

But my inner Omega preens and drinks up every word.

“It’s good to see you, too,” I tell him honestly. “I missed you.”

And for the first time, I catch a flicker of something besides suspicion in my mom’s eyes.

Her expression softens as I take Liam’s hand, hoping to calm his nerves.

“I’d like to steal your daughter away for a few weeks,” he says, looking at my mom. “I know she works at your café, and since you’re the manager…”

My mouth falls open as my mom shakes her head and quirks her lip.

“I’ve heard long-distance relationships can be hard,” she says simply. “And April does overwork herself.”

I can’t seem to close my mouth. I gape at Liam, trying to understand what he’s implying.

“Where are we going?” I manage to ask after I pick my jaw up off the floor.

“Stay with us,” he says softly, gripping my hand. He intertwines our fingers. “We have so many events coming up, and it would be easier if you were at the pack house.”

“I…” I blink at him.

I was just talking about this with Skylar an hour ago.

How I knew they wouldn’t want me to move in with them, and this was all for show.

It still is…right?

“I’m not asking you to move in permanently,” Liam adds quickly. “But I think it would be nice for us to spend some time together. If you’re okay with it, of course. I know work is important to you.”

But I can tell by the way his eyes brighten that he’s hoping I’ll say yes.

“Hunter and Donovan want this, too?” I ask softly.

“Just as much as I do. As long as it’s what you want.”

I pause.

What do I want?

I haven’t asked myself that in a long time.

Just struggling to be normal was all I could hope for.

But with the way Liam looks at me, I wish all of this was real.

I wish this wasn’t just for show, and that we could truly be in a relationship.

And I wish I hadn’t met Kelly, who reminds me that I’ll never be normal or fit into their world.

This will hurt me in the end, I just know it.

But I’m desperate to hold on to anything that keeps me happy even for a moment.

So, I nod. “I would love to.”

His answering grin makes my heart sing.

My mom is standing in my doorway as I pack. Liam has already assured me that I’ll have everything I need there, but I still pack my toiletries, underwear, and Hunter’s jacket.

“What’s up?” I ask her as she watches me.

“I like Liam.” She says finally. “He’s in love with you.”

I almost choke.

“Mom,” I say slowly, turning to her. “He’s not.”

My mom doesn’t say something like that lightly, and her observation terrifies me.

Liam likes me.

But love…it’s impossible.

“He is,” she states, crossing her arms. “Why does that surprise you?”

“Well, for one thing,” I say, turning back to folding my sweatpants, “we’re just dating. People don’t fall in love that quickly.”

“Sure, they can. I did with your father.”

I freeze. She never brings him up.

“Why are you doing this?” I say finally, turning back to her. “What do you want me to say?”

She shrugs. “The truth.”

I look at her incredulously. “Mom! The truth is that I’m dating Liam, Hunter, and Donovan! What more do you need? What else do you expect me to tell you?”

“I don’t know, April. Is there anything else you should tell me?”

I put my face in my hands and groan. “No. If you don’t want me to go, just tell me instead of acting like everything is fine when you’re around them!”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to go. In fact, I want you to go,” my mom snaps. “I want you to live your life, April. I want you to be happy .”

“Then stop looking at me like I’m committing a crime every second. Just…stop. I need you to trust me.”

In times like these, I wish my mom wasn’t as smart as she is. She’s far too perceptive, and lying to her hurts.

Lying to everyone hurts.

“I love you, April.”

I nod. “I love you, too. But I need you to believe me. I’m not in danger. I’m safe. And I genuinely like all three of them.”

My mom nods and uncrosses her arms. “After everything, I still get scared for you,” she says softly. “And when you act out of character…”

“I know,” I murmur. “I know this isn’t normally like me. But they make me happy. Or at least, I’ve been happier.”

“You are. You have more color to your face and you’re eating. Don’t think I don’t notice those things, April.”

I wipe a stray tear that falls down my cheek. “Okay. One day we’ll talk more about this, okay? Just not now.”

“Just not now,” my mom repeats, her own eyes glassy. “I can work with that.”

I sigh. “Okay. You want to help me get packed up?”

She helps me with my duffel bag and suitcase, then walks me to the front door.

“I love you, honey.”

“Love you too, mom.”

I head out the door to meet Liam, who waits patiently in the driveway, his eyes bright with joy.